Room for Rent and other rental scams
by Con Warner Thu Feb 07, 2013 4:37 pm
From: Barbara Jenkins <[email protected]>
Date: Thu, Feb 7, 2013 at 11:11
Subject: Re: $740 / 1br - Spacious, Heat Included, Quiet building, 1 BR/BA (Canoga Park)
To: Con Warner



Hello,

Thank you for your reply. The good news is that the rental is still available. There was a potential leaser who had great interest in the rental, but he had bad marks on his credit report, so we need to start showing it again, as we want to get it rented immediately. Considering you had contacted us first, regarding the property, we are giving you first right of refusal.

The unit is in excellent condition. We know a lot of prospective renters want to take a quick look at the property, regardless, our policy is not to divulge the address, as the current tenants are still there. We do not want to disturb them as they are moving out currently. I can confirm what you probably already know this property is gorgeous! A property like this would typically go for much more, but again, I need to lease it right now, which is why the lease rate is a tremendous value.

The utilities are intact and can be switched over to you once the lease is signed. You will be responsible for cable, internet, and phone - if you decide to have these services. Pets are allowed but just need to know the size and breed for our records. The rental term is 12-month lease, but can be switched to a 6-month lease or even a smaller term lease, if that is more favorable. The only requirement is that you send us 30 days notice, when you want to move out of the unit.

If you would like to set up an appointment, go to the link below and order your credit report for a few bucks. We use the credit report to determine the % you pay for the security deposit and possibly pay no security deposit if your credit is above 700! Here is the link:
http://securelinks.info/a1e57cf942436d9 ... 5b104e5b5e

The only pages we require are regarding your rental history. You just need to bring that to your appointment to see the property.

My availability over the next few days is going to be tight, but I will try to be available between 10am and 8pm. After you have completed the online process, let me know that you have a hard copy and I can schedule an appointment at the rental.

I hope to give you a tour!

Barbara Jenkins


The link that you are asked to click is possibly a phishing site in which your personal details are harvested for identity theft.
Sometimes these links go to an actual credit report company that pays the scammer a small amount for your custom.
After visiting the site and replying to this person, the scam begins.

This person then asks for proof that you are able to pay the deposit and rent due to a string of time wasters.
This proof is in the form of a Western Union or MoneyGram payment either to him, your friend or a family member.

Sounds safe. It's not!

At other times, this person asks for a deposit payment via Western Union or Moneygram with the promise that they will send the keys through a courier company.

In either case, if payment is made and you give this person the details, they will collect the money.
You will not hear from them again.

All the details such as names, addresses, pictures etc. that the scammer uses in order to back up his story, are stolen from elsewhere.

If you are reading this because you are looking for property to rent, and you are in contact with this thief you are probably searching Craigslist, Gumtree or similar listing sites. If you receive any requests from 'Landlords' asking for some kind of payment before viewing, then it will also be a scam. Please forward the mail to me at the address in my signature line and I will investigate and list them if necessary.

Email: [email protected]

Latest updates regarding Internet Fraud: http://www.antifraudnews.com
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by mrhollywoodgates Sun Feb 10, 2013 2:29 pm
I got an identical email from this address: [email protected]

She sent me this link to get my credit score: http://www.securelinks.info/b0aa95b2180 ... 07dd6a1bd8
Which redirects to this site: http://www.simplecreditsolution .com/8/scAAAm/?lpid=9&ocode=NC40LjQuOS4xLjAuMC4wLjAuMC4wLjA&source_code=AAA

Thankfully I found this site first and did not give away my information to this scam!

I've actually gotten two identical emails like this in the past two days from the same address / information about two completely different properties, which was my first hint that this was a scam! Maybe "Barbara" is starting to overreach a little...

Mod note: Moved post and disabled links - CW
by Fiercedad Wed Feb 13, 2013 2:22 pm
Thank you. I got an identical email and was about to go through with the credit check website but decided to go google this first and I am very happy I found your post. The email I received was IDENTICAL regarding a 1 bedroom house in Echo Park. Instead of Barbara, mine came from a "Linda Johnson". Let the apartment hunt continue!
by 54321 Wed Feb 13, 2013 5:32 pm
Can you post as much info as possible, like email address used?
Last edited by Bubbles on Wed Feb 13, 2013 11:56 pm, edited 1 time in total. Reason: Removed direct quote of message above.

How to post photos to this site http://scamwarners.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=3219
How to view email headers http://www.ip-adress.com/faq/view_email_header/
Use this site to track IP addresses http://www.iptrackeronline.com/index.php

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